News Release

Results Links: Round 1 Highlights Links: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Tee Time Links: Round 1 Round 2 Qualifying Highlights: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Results Links: Chicopee CC Far Corner GC Olde Barnstable GC Shaker Hills GC Norton CC Fall River CC Related News Links: State Mid-Amateur Page Event Preview

For Immediate Release: September 27, 2004

Headline: Drohen Shoots 68 to Lead Field After Day 1 of Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship

Canton, MA – Displaying the dominating form that led to his 2003 Massachusetts Amateur victory, Andy Drohen (St. Anne CC) fired a 4-under par 68 this afternoon to take a one-stroke lead following the first round of play at the Massachusetts Mid-Amateur Championship being held this week at Blue Hill Country Club in Canton.

Drohen, whose sole championship win in 2004 came at the Massachusetts Four-Ball Championship, started his round on the 10th hole and made the turn at even par 36. It was then when he turned on the heat. Posting four birdies and zero bogies (including back-to-back birdies on the 198 yard, par 3 4th and the 389-yard, par 4 5th holes) through his final nine holes, Drohen finished at 4-under par 32. Just one stroke back of Drohen is John Hadges (Thorny Lea GC), who turned in a score of 3-under par 69. Hadges, who turned amateur golf heads back in 2003 when he advanced to match play at the Massachusetts Amateur Championship, started his round with a bogey on the 410 yard, par 4 10th hole. He quickly found his rhythm as he registered four birdies and zero bogies throughout the remaining 17 holes.

Bill Drohen (Bradford CC), younger brother of Andy and the reigning Massachusetts Public Links champion, finished the day at 2-under par 70 for sole possession of third place. Drohen was untouchable on the back nine – he started on the 10th tee this morning – as he made birdie on the 12th, 14th and 18th holes. Although he would not be able to find the magic birdie touch on the front nine, Drohen still managed to secure a solid 2-under par 70 score.

The entire field will return to Blue Hill CC on Tuesday for a second day of stroke play. Following the second round, the low 30 scorers and ties or anyone within five strokes of the leader will return to Canton on Wednesday for a third and final round of 18-hole stroke play.

Highlights From Day 1:
- Although he didn’t enjoy the start he would have hoped for, five-time champion of this event, Frank Vana, Jr. (Marlborough CC), posted a 3-over par 75 this afternoon. Vana finished with four bogies and only one birdie.
- Mike Dunham (The Ridge Club), the New York Rangers’ starting goaltender when the NHL is not in the midst of a lockout, is very much in the hunt following a 1-over par 73 performance. Dunham made the turn at 2-over par 36 but managed to post an impressive 1-under par 35 on what is considered a more difficult back nine.
- There will be no rest for the weary for three of today’s competitors. Andy Drohen, Vana and Doug Clapp (Walpole CC) will be heading to Sea Island, Georgia following this event to take part in the 2004 U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship. That USGA-sponsored contest begins on Saturday, October 2nd.

 

 

©2004 Massachusetts Golf Association.